Bargain Lunches

When you are trying to reduce your deficit spending . . .

Beadles, 825 E. Green St., Pasadena. (818) 796-3618. Style: Cafeteria food June Cleaver would have been proud to serve. Setting: Main Street, U.S.A. Recommended: Roast beef with horseradish; macaroni and cheese; gooseberry pie. Cost per person: $4-$10.

Borscht and Perogy, 18710 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 705-3940. Style: Deli food, glasnost style. Setting: Bright and narrow with a counter and a few tables. Recommended: Borscht; Russian potato salad; stuffed cabbage. Cost per person: $5-$12.

Cafe Blanc, 3706 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 380-2829. Style: Where foodies stand in line for the best lunch deal in town. Setting: Minimalist. Recommended: Daily specials such as crisp chicken in mustard sauce; grilled salmon in a cream sauce; Chilean sea bass topped with orange rind and pink peppercorns. Cost per person: $8-$12. (Dinner prices are much higher.)

La Vecchia Cucina, 2654 Main St., Santa Monica. (213) 396-9226. Style: Neighborhood trattoria with praiseworthy pastas and pizzas. Setting: Frenzied. Recommended: Any of the pizzas or fresh pastas. Cost per person: $8-$15.

Versailles, 10319 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 558-3168. Also at 1415 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 289-0392. Style: Cuban roadhouse serving great garlicky chicken and pork. Setting: Noisy, with Latin music blaring. Recommended: Roast pork, roast chicken; chicken soup. Cost per person: $6-$10.